SND - Planetview/Baseview/X-Net

Well, here is my first ( if not considering the main theme contest) composition for the project, absolutely not finished.
I've choosen the "PLANETVIEW/BASEVIEW/XENOPAEDIA". It must be between 5 and 10 minutes long ! I'm just at 3:38 ...

Sorry, for the moment I cannot convert it into Ogg Vorbis format, but it will be done later...

But, the essential : what do you think about this ? (don't be shy, maybe I'm completely out of topic !!! so don't hesitate, your comments are all goods !)
Actually, I need to know if I'm on the right way or not for this music...

Arnaud

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

Sorry guys you cannot hear what I made, and I don't know how to cure that...

It seems that my attachment did not manage to land on the forum...

Hello !

Well, here is my first ( if not considering the main theme contest) composition for the project, absolutely not finished.I've choosen the "PLANETVIEW/BASEVIEW/XENOPAEDIA". It must be between 5 and 10 minutes long ! I'm just at 3:38 ...

Sorry, for the moment I cannot convert it into Ogg Vorbis format, but it will be done later...

But, the essential : what do you think about this ? (don't be shy, maybe I'm completely out of topic !!! so don't hesitate, your comments are all goods !)Actually, I need to know if I'm on the right way or not for this music...

Arnaud

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

---Edit---
posted the same time arnaud did...
Arnaud, did you press the in "add into post" button after uploading it via "add this attachment"? I don't know if the forum is supporting music fles. maybe zip it or change the extension and mention the correct one in your post

Edited by Mad, 09 December 2005 - 01:43 PM.

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Sorry guys you cannot hear what I made, and I don't know how to cure that...

It seems that my attachment did not manage to land on the forum...

Hello !

Well, here is my first ( if not considering the main theme contest) composition for the project, absolutely not finished.I've choosen the "PLANETVIEW/BASEVIEW/XENOPAEDIA". It must be between 5 and 10 minutes long ! I'm just at 3:38 ...

Sorry, for the moment I cannot convert it into Ogg Vorbis format, but it will be done later...

But, the essential : what do you think about this ? (don't be shy, maybe I'm completely out of topic !!! so don't hesitate, your comments are all goods !)Actually, I need to know if I'm on the right way or not for this music...

Arnaud

Edit your post (or post again) and try attaching it again. If that fails, you can try compressing it and then reposting it, or you can email it to me and I will post it Can't wait to listen to it

Sorry guys you cannot hear what I made, and I don't know how to cure that...

It seems that my attachment did not manage to land on the forum...

Hello !

Well, here is my first ( if not considering the main theme contest) composition for the project, absolutely not finished.I've choosen the "PLANETVIEW/BASEVIEW/XENOPAEDIA". It must be between 5 and 10 minutes long ! I'm just at 3:38 ...

Sorry, for the moment I cannot convert it into Ogg Vorbis format, but it will be done later...

But, the essential : what do you think about this ? (don't be shy, maybe I'm completely out of topic !!! so don't hesitate, your comments are all goods !)Actually, I need to know if I'm on the right way or not for this music...

Arnaud

Edit your post (or post again) and try attaching it again. If that fails, you can try compressing it and then reposting it, or you can email it to me and I will post it Can't wait to listen to it

It failed.When pressing the button "add this attachment", after a while, my file disappears from the selection item.

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

ATeX must be busy with work as he hasn't come online in a few days, please send further music to my email until he's back so I can upload it for you (or if you find another place to host your files, maybe you could ask sporb)

It failed.When pressing the button "add this attachment", after a while, my file disappears from the selection item.

The FPT server is for Full Members, I've uploaded it into SVN as it's what we're using for assets.

Oh. Sorry got that wrong.

---Edit---Finished listening. I like the feeling of it, can almost see me waiting for UFOs... But, I feel that the break at 2:54 might be a little too clear. Could disturb. Maybe try to make it smoother? Funny thing is, the first bars remind me of the Star Trek Enterprise TNG (the one with Picard) theme...

Edited by Mad, 09 December 2005 - 03:14 PM.

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Ahh... How soothering - A perfect thing to relax to, the idea is great for Xenopedia (you spend alot of time reading, so the sound shouldn't get too distracting, right?). Maybe a bit too soothering, but I'm not the one to comment on changes (Me and Atex seems to have diffrent opinions upon sounds, and well.... he properbly knows more about it then I do), but I can surely say that it sounds very nice in it's current state, in my oppinion.

Some people say that dreams are a portal to the subconscious. If that is so, I am a very disturbed person.

The FPT server is for Full Members, I've uploaded it into SVN as it's what we're using for assets.

Oh. Sorry got that wrong.

---Edit---Finished listening. I like the feeling of it, can almost see me waiting for UFOs... But, I feel that the break at 2:54 might be a little too clear. Could disturb. Maybe try to make it smoother? Funny thing is, the first bars remind me of the Star Trek Enterprise TNG (the one with Picard) theme...

I agree, I like the feel of it as well, though I also think it lacks a bit the feel of the Xenocide Main Theme, I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, music is not my thing Aside from that, it's amazing work

I agree, I like the feel of it as well, though I also think it lacks a bit the feel of the Xenocide Main Theme, I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, music is not my thing Aside from that, it's amazing work

Actually, what has been defined is that this music must be "ambient, relaxing, inspiring, open". I'm trying to stick at this.It was not specified that the main theme could be used (maybe to avoid an overdose of it during the whole game ), but the idea is good. I can introduce it in the music in a more "neutral" way, less "sad" or "scary"...who decides ? Atex ?

Concerning the music you can hear on this topic, mixing is not done, there are some holes in the compostitions, the transitions between the parts may be smoother (as noticed Mad )...etc...This is just a first try I've made yesterday evening !

To reply to Mikker, I don't know how to appreciate if the music is too sooth or not enough. I think you're right when saying that there are things to read in the game at this moment, and so the music should not disturb. To avoid the gamer to asleep I've introduced a light rythmic, but I didn't think to make it stronger, otherwise you could lost the ambient character of the music... Anyway, I retain your idea !Let's see what the senior members decide.

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

Mr. S, I think that your track is more than adequate for the task and has an appropriate feel. I, personally, felt that the rythmn was a little bit too strong, but it didn't smash me in the face or anything. All in all I think it's very good.

Here I go an angry brother gonna make his moveBut can I buck him in the city so I never lose?See I'm a get him in the crowd with a couple heaviesAnd lay the barrel to the ground, hold the gat steadyAnd now I'm ready for my adversary, talk is cheapI'm looking for a way to make a plan gonna keep it neatSo don't be telling me to get the non-violent spirit'cause when I'm violent is the only time the devils hear it'cause all I want to see is m****f***ing brains hanging

I agree, I like the feel of it as well, though I also think it lacks a bit the feel of the Xenocide Main Theme, I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, music is not my thing Aside from that, it's amazing work

Actually, what has been defined is that this music must be "ambient, relaxing, inspiring, open". I'm trying to stick at this.It was not specified that the main theme could be used (maybe to avoid an overdose of it during the whole game ), but the idea is good. I can introduce it in the music in a more "neutral" way, less "sad" or "scary"...who decides ? Atex ?

Yeah, ATeX will tell you, once he gets back Have you ever listened to the sountrack of UFO: Aftermath? the one thing I loved the most about the game is the Geosphere music, it has that feeling of being lost and having all odds against you, really made me get into the game.

Concerning the music you can hear on this topic, mixing is not done, there are some holes in the compostitions, the transitions between the parts may be smoother (as noticed Mad )...etc...This is just a first try I've made yesterday evening !

[...]Have you ever listened to the sountrack of UFO: Aftermath? the one thing I loved the most about the game is the Geosphere music, it has that feeling of being lost and having all odds against you, really made me get into the game.[...]

Well, and if you haven't had the chance 'till now, have a look at http://english.bonus...mathfotage.html. There you can download a demo video of the game, including the mentioned music. (at least I hope that this is what Az meant...)

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Finally! I managed to come online at a uni here in Aranjuez. The ADSL line has broken down last week.

Great to see that youīve finished this version already! Unfortunately these computers are meant for educational use so they donīt have a soundcard. Iīll take a listen once the internet at my place has been fixed. Btw, there are a lot of music communities where you can upload your compositions. For example, http://zed.cbc.ca is a great site!

ouuuuhh.....I've not finished at all !!! I'm barely at one third of the track !!!This was just a try to know if it's good enough or not

Finally! I managed to come online at a uni here in Aranjuez. The ADSL line has broken down last week.

Great to see that youīve finished this version already! Unfortunately these computers are meant for educational use so they donīt have a soundcard. Iīll take a listen once the internet at my place has been fixed. Btw, there are a lot of music communities where you can upload your compositions. For example, http://zed.cbc.ca is a great site!

cya later,

Thomas

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

love the echo effect.
try working on the ticking sound that starts at 01:20, dunno why but i felt it kinda ruined the effect.
also the end needs to fit the beginning so it can loop without anyone noticing it(obviusly)
good work, liked it.

Edited by Qonfused, 12 December 2005 - 01:23 PM.

My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therfore exused from saving Universes.

Well, it seems that I'm not allowed to use the ftp server. And the tortoise tool does not work, It asks me for a username and password...that I do not have !

FTP server is for full members, sorry. And the SVN server requires password too, for now only programmers and department leaders can upload things.But keep up the good work and you'll be able to use the FTP in no time

Hi!
Nice stuff! Really good - as said before: I can imagine myself waiting for prey...
Definitive a cathy tune!

A few comments:
around 1:20 and 2:58 there is a lot of white noise, is it intentionally there? It's not bad, but a little distracting since it is not in the line of melody. On the other hand, I like it after hearing it a few times since it is a nice variation. Just don't know, if it isn't too disturbing for the Geoscape.
at 4:28 /4:29 the "pling pling-pling" coming from the right channel (I hope you get what I mean ) is a little too loud.
at 5:03 / 5:04 the "organ" repeating the three "theme tones" (the descending gamut) in the background doesn't feel right for me. It's a little too "dirty" for the overall sphearic sound.
Same goes at 5:34-5:37 (different melody, but same instrument)

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

well, -between 1:03 and 1:20, and between 2:49 and 3:04, this is rain you should normally hear... maybe my sample is not good enough...

- you're right ā 4:28/4:29 the "pling-pling" is too loud

- at 5:03/5:04 yes, you may be true, these notes are a little too "disturbing", i can make something "lighter"

- and at 5:34/5:37, well I don't feel that too dirty, I just wanted to add very shortly a new tonality, something different that would break just a little the feeling of a continious melody line.

You did not say anything about the "breathe" samples ? I guess you like it ? Hope so, It was funny to record myself breathing (even with a serious cold !!)

Hi! Nice stuff! Really good - as said before: I can imagine myself waiting for prey... Definitive a cathy tune!

A few comments:around 1:20 and 2:58 there is a lot of white noise, is it intentionally there? It's not bad, but a little distracting since it is not in the line of melody. On the other hand, I like it after hearing it a few times since it is a nice variation. Just don't know, if it isn't too disturbing for the Geoscape.at 4:28 /4:29 the "pling pling-pling" coming from the right channel (I hope you get what I mean ) is a little too loud.at 5:03 / 5:04 the "organ" repeating the three "theme tones" (the descending gamut) in the background doesn't feel right for me. It's a little too "dirty" for the overall sphearic sound.Same goes at 5:34-5:37 (different melody, but same instrument)

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

-between 1:03 and 1:20, and between 2:49 and 3:04, this is rain you should normally hear... maybe my sample is not good enough...

Rain? Hm. Nope, can't identify it. But this is a good idea. Maybe really try a better sample.

You did not say anything about the "breathe" samples ? I guess you like it ? Hope so, It was funny to record myself breathing (even with a serious cold !!)

Well, I sure did! I thought 'bout saying sth. 'bout these, but I wasn't sure how to call them..

---Edit---Maybe try to use a higher bitrate when compressing next time

Edited by Mad, 18 December 2005 - 08:50 AM.

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Ok, I had a closer look with better headphones. I'm going to write it as "to the point as possible" by using short statements

pros:- pads are excellent- synth line- piano- synth chords- good harmony adjustment at 4:44 -> more would be very good

cons:- percussion instrument is too tribal and tribal doesn't go very well with futuristic sci-fi games -> replace tribal percussion by something more modern- breath adds even more tribal feel -> remove breath unless you can put it into another context- monotony due to overuse of 1 key -> extend it ( for example with a sort of intermezzo, modulate)

I do admit that I would like to work on my own version of planetview music and have already done so (unofficially, of course), but it'd be really nice to hear what your final version will be sounding like.

First, here is my ne version of Planet view. I feel unfortunately "feelingless" after having spent 2 hours on it just to find a new rythmic sequence.I do not really appreciate what I've done. That's why according to the discussion about composing together (and I think especially to Crispy), if someone wants to add something, change something, let's go ! I think I should have a pause on this song, and if Atex agrees, go to another one to have "fresh air"

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Arnaud - can you upload a higher quality version of your planetscape mix - I noticed this before, but it seems to be even more dominant in v2, that either 126 kbps just doesn't cut it (sorry - I'm used to at least 192 in MP3 format, which seems to be far superior to WMA ) or the entire track is quite heavily detuned. Either way, something doesn't sound right...

First, here is my ne version of Planet view. I feel unfortunately "feelingless" after having spent 2 hours on it just to find a new rythmic sequence.I do not really appreciate what I've done. That's why according to the discussion about composing together (and I think especially to Crispy), if someone wants to add something, change something, let's go ! I think I should have a pause on this song, and if Atex agrees, go to another one to have "fresh air"

Well, it seems it only works with IE... I will hear into it,if you like, but not before wednesday. Sorry.

---Edit---

Well, aparently I couldn't wait to hear it , so this is my first impression: awesome! I like it very much. Maybe it's just because I know now, but I think the rain is much better now. Only one thing: I feel that the transition between the "old" and the "new" part is too long and a little bit too "bumpy". Especially the part between 3:50 and 3:54 with the ascending/descending gamut doesn't fit in the feeling of the track in my ears. That's all for now, more on wednesday.

Edited by Mad, 14 January 2006 - 01:05 PM.

Keep smiling while dying

Of course I have gone mad with power! It would be completely ridiculous to go mad without power!And no, this is not a quote from the Simpson's movie, I want it on paper, that I actually wrote that quite some time before the movie came out.

Mr_S, I took a quick listen and I have to say the overall feel is much better now. I noticed you removed the breath and the tribal drums, which I think, fits Xenocide much better.

Since we were discussing about composing togheter, Iīm going to post a small example soon on this track. Itīs not ment to be used, rather than to be listened to and be critisized in order to get a feel how it would be to cooperate per composition.

I added only legato strings (violins, violas, cellos and basses) Especially the basses were of great importance as the track almost had no low frequencies. You will hear it from 1:10 to 3:00 and from 4:00 to 5:30

This is an example of how I think we could fill in each other, as a composition band. Leave space for each other and fill in the space which is most needed and which youīre best at.

From 1:04 to 1:18 and from 2:51 to 3:04 there is some sort of weird static on the back, it's not very high, but it's there.

I think the track sounds just fantastic! There is a sound I would like to be lower, the cymbals (is that word correct? it's "platillos" in spanish), it starts at 1:09 and goes thorough the track, I think those hear very nice, but to me they distract too much from the rest of the music, if they were lowered, in my opinion, they would mix much better and not distract as much.

Another thing, from 4:23 to 4:44, there is a weird sound in the back I cannot identify, it's a low-pitch sound, I don't like too much how that sounds with the rest, especially since that's the part I like the best about the music, it gaves me this strange feeling, kinda eerie, and I think that kinda disrupts that feeling.

First impression : waaouuuaaahh
It sounds much less monotonic, more rich in terms of harmony, and you managed to fill the "holes" in which I did not really not to know what to put.
Here's for the congratulations !
Now my remarks:
- Azrael, you're right I think, the charley (not the cymbals) is too present, I shoud lower that sound
- Atex, first I had things to say, but the more I listen, the less I find them justified.
What I just want to say is that when I started on this song, I told to myself that for an atmospheric, ambient, light song, I should not add bass notes. I intentionnally removed the low frequencies in order to make the song "lighter". I really do like your orchestration, but I'm just wondering if that's still close to what we want to make feel. Sure you know so much better the project than me and what the music is to make feel and how. That's an open question...

Otherwise, for a first test of cooperation, IMO, that's great !!!!

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

In the spirit of cooperating with each other I had a personal poke at your track Mr_S. Since I didn't feel like messing up the composition (because that's what I'd probably have done), I just retouched it a little.

There are a couple of points, though that somewhat hurt my ear:

1) the hats, drumstick klacks and less prominent hits and slaps have too much reverb (for my comfort at least; they reminded me of some track from the 80s that's made as wet as possible; heavy springtime reverb works well on strings and other "longer" instruments, but not so much on short hits) - since that's close to very difficult to remove in post, I didn't get into that; currently there's too much of it in my opinion, though...2) the transition at 4:43 sounds really cheesy - it needs a proper piano; in fact the whole sequence needs a better piano (too much modulation or mixed with another instrument?)3) the lack of bass really started to annoy me after a little while so I added some for ballast - no low frequency rumble, just some regular bass to fill up the sound. Airiness isn't just about using higher frequencies - it's also about utilizing the entire spectrum and most of all - it's about maximizing headspace (although I'm afraid the whole thing's a little too airy right now).

well, actually, at 4:43 this is not a piano, but the same synthetic sound thath begins nearly et 1:47 in the background.
The hats and other drum sounds are a little too loud. I did not use reverb for the drum section, only a stereo delay. But, maybe you're right, a little too important. I should be more subtle. That's the problem when you're composing for too long...
However, surely because I'm a little bit tired, I cannot hear a difference between your version and Atex'one. With a song of more than 6 minutes, my brain switches off...

To be or not to be - ShakespeareTo do is to be - SocrateTo be is to do - AristoteTo be do be do - Sinatra

There are some points we have to pay attention to when composing togheter.

* When you start a track (or add something), leave enough headroom.
If you know someone is better at rythm, leave that section completely for the other person. Same with other parts. The goal is to fill in and get the best out of each other.
* Donīt change someone elseīs composition at any level.
Parallel composition will be done. If you have any propositions for something to sound different/better, contact that person. He/she will alter it him/herself. Itīs also better for the teamīs spirit.
* Donīt focus on mixing or mastering. That will be done by the "expert" of the SND department once the track is considered finished.
* Before adding anything to someoneīs track, first contact him/her.
This, in order to prevent problems and malcommunication in development.